Post-poll tie-ups make government stable

NEW DELHI: Post-poll alliances lead to national integration and help provide a stable government, the Centre has submitted before the Delhi high court, opposing a PIL that wants a ban on the political phenomenon.

On Wednesday, additional solicitor general Sanjay Jain, appearing for the Centre, argued that such alliances prevent frequent elections. "We can't have elections at the drop of a hat," the ASG contended before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw while justifying the continuance of post-poll alliances.

The ASG maintained that by adhering to a common minimum programme, all the alliance partners ensure compliance with the democratic norms. "There are several national and regional parties and often such alliances have to be entered into to ensure a government is formed, as it would not be feasible to conduct elections till one party has an absolute majority," said the ASG, pointing out the recent developments in the Supreme Court over attempts to form a government in Delhi.

However, the central government law officer conceded that"promises in poll manifestos can only be followed to the extent it is possible", adding that in future "we may be able to have electoral reforms of this nature when our democracy is more mature".

After hearing arguments, HC reserved its order on the PIL, which opposes political parties' practice of forging alliances to gain power.

The PIL was filed by advocate Mithilesh Kumar Pandey, who challenged the "validity of post-poll alliances among political parties" on the ground that it is a "breach of the promises made by them during the election campaigns".